Maraboya High School campus.
Herman walked through the familiar yet unfamiliar campus, with people greeting him from time to time.
Since the shooting incident, his popularity at school had increased significantly.
If it had been before, he surely would have been happy.
The main criteria for admission into American universities are first, SAT or ACT scores; second, the applicant's application essay, various specialties and leadership abilities; and third, policy bonuses.
Having a high profile in school and significant influence among the students did help with college admissions.
But after Luke had uncovered his lies, it left him unnerved, always feeling as if he were being watched, with an inexplicable sense of unease.
"Hey, Herman, you actually came to school. Is your shoulder wound better?" a Caucasian classmate approached and greeted him.
"Hi, Benson, I was just looking for you," Herman walked up to him and said softly, "To tell you the truth, it still hurts a bit. Don't tell anyone."
"I get it, you want to act tough," Benson smirked, then asked, "What do you need?"
"About what we discussed in our video call last time ... I've thought it over ... I should stand up and do something on behalf of the injured students.
This shooting incident should be taken seriously; it shouldn't just be lightly passed over."
"Do you need me to do something?"
"I know you've already received your acceptance letter from the University of California, Los Angeles. You have a lot of experience in this area, and I want to ask you some questions,
If I speak out, will it help with university admissions?"
Benson thought for a moment, "Of course, as long as your words are appropriate, it will definitely be helpful. You really should consider this aspect."
"Would you help me write a speech?"
"I can, but … you'll have to buy me a meal."
"Haha ... Don't worry, buddy. I'll treat you to a feast."
Benson joked, "Just not hamburgers, right?"
"I'm not that stingy... at least a double burger, hehe..."
In fact, Herman had initially dismissed this idea, but after talking it over with his parents at home, his parents thought that if managed well, it could gain broader societal attention, potentially leading to admission to a better university through this misfortune.
If not, it wouldn't have a negative impact, so why not try?
Wherever you go, there are parents who push their children, and wherever there are children who strive to outdo each other.
Luke and Small Black were still watching at the school gate.
At this moment, School Police Officer Selt Polis was no longer at the gate.
Luke's buttocks were starting to hurt from sitting so long; he didn't want to stay cooped up in the car anymore, so he got out to have a smoke.
Small Black came over and asked for a cigarette, "It's past school time. Are we going to keep waiting?"
"Let's go for a coffee," Luke said, taking Small Black to a nearby outdoor café.
Small Black glanced toward the school gate, "This spot isn't bad, but the coffee tastes a bit weak." As he spoke, he added another sugar packet to his cup.
Luke shook his head, "You should cut down on sugar, it's not good for your health." Through their time together, Luke had noticed that Small Black's diet was very unhealthy, with too much sugar intake, which was fine now while he was young, but he would definitely become overweight as he aged.
"There's nothing that can replace the joy of carbs, nothing," Small Black said nonchalantly.
Luke couldn't be bothered to argue further.
A yellow van stopped at the door, and a man in a yellow hard hat and blue uniform came out from the passenger side, chatted with the security guard for a moment, and the vehicle was admitted.
Small Black curiously asked, "What are they doing?"
Luke turned his head, "Why don't you go and ask?"
"If you don't go, should I go?"
Under Luke's gaze, Small Black finally compromised and ran over to chat with the school security guard.
A BMW parked at the east side of the school entrance, and a Caucasian man got out, with blond hair, tall and skinny, quite handsome. He placed a bouquet of roses next to Josie's photo.
He didn't leave immediately but stood silently next to it …
Luke stood up from his chair; the person he had been waiting for had arrived.
Josie's mysterious boyfriend, the cheerleading captain.
Crossing the street with a cup of coffee in hand, Luke greeted him in a casual tone, "Hi, Pete."
The blond Caucasian man turned around, sizing Luke up, "Were you just calling me?"
"Aren't you called Pete?"
"I am Pete, but ... I don't think I've met you before."
Luke flashed his police badge, "I'm Detective Luke, investigating the shooting incident. Can I talk to you?"
Pete looked slightly startled, "What do you want to talk about?"
"Are you close to Josie?"
"We're friends, we meet occasionally. I knew she was in trouble and came to mourn her."
"How did you two meet?"
"I work at a dance studio, where Josie was a student.
She was very diligent, practicing at school and also secretly learning dance after school. Her initial dream was to join the cheerleading squad.
She made it, and she did better than imagined."
"So, you taught dance at the training school?"
"So, you were her dance teacher?"
"Ah … Actually, I only taught her a few classes, it wasn't really a teacher-student relationship, it was just a training institution, not a strict school."
"Hmm, I wouldn't admit to dating a student of mine either."
Pete's expression became uncomfortable, "If there's nothing else, I should go."